[Sparkfarmer]

I've noticed alot of discussion with people wanting to make some cash using camera platforms. I admit, it is a very luring proposition. How great would it be to have your own buisness, or just the odd photo/video assignment to help pay the toys!

I read these discussions, along with reports of RC aircraft in the vicinity or airports, and I feel compelled to write a bit of a wake up call statement.

There is alot of speculation and vague facts about the regulations, requirements, and who governs it all. Here are the facts in a nutshell:

- The Aeronautics Act is the backbone of aviation law.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/acts-regulat...s-1985ca-2.htm

- The Canadian Aviation Regulations (Referred to as CARs in the industry), is the set or rules and regulations followed for civil aviation here in Canada, and is governed by Transport Canada.....not NavCanada. If it flies, the rules to operate in Canada are defined here.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviatio.../cars/menu.htm

Now you might say:" Well.... obviously this only applies to real aircraft, not model aircraft" You would be wrong.....

CAR 602.45 states:

Model Aircraft, Kites and Model Rockets

602.45 No person shall fly a model aircraft or a kite or launch a model rocket or a rocket of a type used in a fireworks display into cloud or in a manner that is or is likely to be hazardous to aviation safety.

Transport Canada defines a model as follows:

a.“model aircraft”- means an aircraft, the total weight of which does not exceed 35 kg (77.2 pounds), that is mechanically driven or launched into flight for recreational purposes and that is not designed to carry persons or other living creatures.

Following is an excerpt from Staff Instruction SI 623-001 on determining wether or not someone is operating as a "model" aircraft or not. A Staff Instruction (SI) is basically a guidance document used by Transport Canada employees.

3.Confusion may exist because the unmanned air vehicle weighs less than 35 kg, however, this does not make it a “model aircraft”. To be considered a “model aircraft”, three conditions must be met. Every condition is necessary but none is sufficient. Model aircraft weigh 35 kg. (77.2 lbs) or less, are mechanically driven or launched into flight for recreational purposes, and are not designed to carry persons or other living creatures.
4.While the CARs do not define “recreational purposes” a dictionary definition of recreation is “not for work – done for pleasure or relaxation”. Model aircraft enthusiasts fly their aircraft as a pastime, an unpaid diversion, as an activity that “diverts, amuses, or stimulates”. Section 602.45 of the CARs was put in place to allow sporting enthusiasts to operate model aircraft for personal enjoyment but not for monetary gain or other form of hire and reward. The Aeronautics Act defines hire and reward as:

a.“any payment, consideration, gratuity or benefit, directly or indirectly charged, demanded, received or collected by any person for the use of an aircraft”.
b.Equipping model aircraft with a payload does not, in itself, make the model a UAV, however, once the model aircraft is launched for any reason other than recreational purposes, it is an unmanned air vehicle.

This SI is the best place to start for any would be professional RC pilots. Unless you've reviewed, and understand the requirements of this document, I'd just keep flying for the fun of it!

Here is a link to the document:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviatio...1-972.htm#e4-1

So for all of you who think that model flying is something to be taken for granted, and without a proper level of safety maintained, know that there is regulatory framework in place. We are all flying under the radar, figuratively and literally. However, all it will take is ONE incident, and we will have shifted the regulatory gaze over our great hobby.

Be safe, have fun, and use common sense

[MRK]

If you are interested in downloading the CARs as a pdf goto:
http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/r...ns/SOR-96-433/

[xv-townboy]

Great post!.Before everyone goes "PRO" lol

[Tower]

News release from ING Robotic Aviation:

ING Robotic Aviation, Canada’s leader in unmanned aircraft system solutions, is pleased to announce it will be partnering with Canadore College this June to offer the first UAV program in Ontario. This demonstrates leadership not only in Canada but also internationally.

UAVs, or unmanned aerial vehicles, are aircraft without a human pilot on board. Flight is controlled either autonomously by computers in the vehicle, or under the remote control of a pilot on the ground or in another vehicle. They are proving to have a wide range of applications, especially given their greatly reduced footprint (in terms of cost, safety and environment) when compared to many roles currently performed by helicopters and conventional aircraft.

Since their effective use for surveillance in Canadian military operations, robotic aircraft in Canada are proving to be able to provide numerous opportunities across the economy. This is the next stage in Canada’s history of leadership in aviation. Key uses of UAVs now include aerial surveillance and monitoring in the oil and gas, geomatics, mining and utilities sectors.

“Unmanned aerial vehicles play an increasing role in the future of the aviation industry,” states George Burton, President of Canadore College. “These systems are being used around the world for everything from mapping and surveying work to agriculture and communications.”

“It’s all about getting the right information into the right hands, in a timely manner” states ING Robotic Aviation’s founder and CEO, Ian Glenn. “Unmanned aircraft, combined with relevant sensors and systems, represents a great technology as it allows managers in many sectors access to actionable data that they might otherwise not have been able to afford, or maybe not even be able to acquire at all.”

Over the past 10 years, ING has demonstrated unprecedented leadership in the field of robotic aviation. With over 200 companies in the industry, ING Robotic Aviation is one of the largest and most experienced. The company has over 30,000 hours of experience where most of the competition in this field only describes their experience in hundreds of hours.

ING Robotic Aviation understands that great technology comes from great people. The company is privileged to work with a practical and innovative institution like Canadore College on this initiative. This collaboration between ING and Canadore hopes to rebuild Canada’s lead in aviation, create high tech jobs and foster northern development.

[westcoaster]

just remember the word act only applys to people who are in the corperation canada /usa

[davidmc36]

Originally Posted by westcoaster

just remember the word act only applys to people who are in the corperation canada /usa

Huh?

[strikemaster]

Originally Posted by davidmc36

Huh?

I agree, David. I think that westcoaster is thinking that this is RC Universe or RC Groups. However, it being RC Canada, it in itself means that this has a Canadian perspective.

For those that don't remember their Civics lessons (or never had them).... "Act" means (as in the use of the term "Aeronautics Act") that the related document is a piece of legislation, passed by a suitable legislative assembly, and authorized into law by the appropriate Queen's representative.

With it being law, the act (as in Aeronautics Act) defines its scope, the items that are or are not covered, as well as the consequences of not following the act (fines or jail time or both).

Sorry about the lecture for those who remember their Civics lessons....

[joliecoeur13]

great post , let's stay UNDER the radar ....for just about everything

[tporter416]

Did anyone else notice a couple of the academy awards given out last night?
An academy plaque was given for this: http://www.flying-cam.com/aerial_robotics_engineering/

Or these guys who won an academy certificate for their aerial R/C filming?
http://www.hovercam.com/About_Us.html
On this one, the heli shown still had an Align tail boom...

Tom

[Sparkfarmer]

However, all it will take is ONE incident, and we will have shifted the regulatory gaze over our great hobby.

https://globalnews.ca/news/3628593/d...lots-airports/

http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/20...2-eng.php#rias

Heavy Sigh